Leonardo shrugged off Zlatan Ibrahimovic rumours, called Lucas Paqueta “a lad with great promise” and said Gianluigi Donnarumma needs to be more consistent.
There have been multiple reports of a possible return to San Siro for Ibrahimovic in January, especially as the LA Galaxy missed out on the MLS post season with a dramatic Decision Day collapse.
“I think that talking about the transfer market now is a bit out of turn,” Leonardo told RMC Sport.
Leonardo shrugged off Zlatan Ibrahimovic rumours, called Lucas Paqueta “a lad with great promise” and said Gianluigi Donnarumma needs to be more consistent.
There have been multiple reports of a possible return to San Siro for Ibrahimovic in January, especially as the LA Galaxy missed out on the MLS post season with a dramatic Decision Day collapse.
“I think that talking about the transfer market now is a bit out of turn,” Leonardo told RMC Sport.
“Let’s focus on the growth of the team and sincerely we saw an important reaction after two defeats to beat Sampdoria. We are fifth in the table with a game in hand and three points off the Champions League zone, which remains our objective.
“Don’t forget where we started from. On July 20 we were disqualified from the Europa League, had many players who wanted to leave and it was a team that needed to be revived. It still is.
“Milan have struggled in recent years, finishing sixth, seventh or eighth, so we can’t think that from one day to the next they’ll suddenly become Scudetto contenders.
“I think the expectations around this team are exaggerated, because we set the parameters we are aiming for and we’re still well within them.”
Yet Milan have already invested on the market, because they agreed a massive €35m deal for Sao Paulo trequartista Lucas Paqueta.
“He is 21 years old and very promising. He just started playing for Brazil and has experience in a side that is second in the Brazilian league.
“We know Paqueta will join a team still under construction, so he’ll need time too, but he is certainly a lad with great promise.
“Donnarumma, however, is no longer someone with potential, as he is the first choice goalkeeper for Italy. Like many Milan players, he has had ups and downs, often reflecting a difficult situation at club level.
“He needs to be more consistent, but time is on his side.”